Postal History

Quality: ✉

1839 Forerunner England without contents, with the 'FREE STAMP' mark. The letter is addressed to Major Stephens, Salford Baracks in Manchester. This mark was applied to indicate postage-free status. Several types are known, but this one only ran for a cut close period (10.10.1839 and 24.10.1839), with no cross in the cancellation and also the last year before the postage stamp was issued. (Penny Black). Described in The History of the Early Postmarks of the British Isles to 1840 - John Hendy (1905), pages 35-39. Rare, f/to be checked.